– Thank you! You have saved me! – She exclaimed quietly, putting her hand on her breast, her heart still unwilling to slow down.
– Don't mention it," smiled her cousin. – I had forgotten how zealous my mother is about her gladioli. But now go to your chambers: you must freshen up. I'll see you in twenty minutes, at lunch. – He suddenly took the girl's hand in his, touched it with his lips, and then released her and went up the stairs, leaving Vivian, flushed as a poppy, to wonder at his action.
In the meantime Lady Cranford had reached the kitchen and, opening the door, was displeased to find almost all the servants of the house gathered round the table where the servants usually ate.
– What is going on here? – She asked in a calm but imperious tone. – Have you nothing else to do but sit here and gossip?
– I'm sorry, ma'am," she said, and the servants hurried out of the kitchen.
How embarrassing! The landlady was not mistaken: she had caught the servants discussing the new guest!
It was Emily's fault: no, oh no! Mr. Brown had not sent her to find Jane! Emily had decided to find her herself to tell her and others about the new miss, and Jane had been eager to share her impressions and sing Miss Vivian's dithyrambs: she is so beautiful! She is so kind! There is no one in the world better than she!
– She's a beauty like no one the world has ever seen! – Emily put in. – Let that French rat now tremble with terror!
"French rat" Greenhall servants called the first beauty of the high society of London – Mademoiselle Lucie de Croix. How dare this maiden come to England and turn the heads of English aristocrats while her native country and a shameless upstart are at war against the English monarchy!
But Lady Cranford came in and spoilt all the fun, with only the cook and Jane left in the kitchen.
– Buy a couple of pounds of the new brand of chocolates. They're said to have a very good flavour," Lady Cranford said. – And you, Jane, go and see Miss Cowell: she needs your help.
Jane made a silent curtsy and hurried to her new miss.
– Gertrude, you know how much I appreciate your culinary skills," the landlady said in a displeased tone to the cook. – But if I catch you and anyone else idling and gossiping, I'll have Mr. Brown calculate that person this very day. And tell that to the others. I hope it won't happen again.